St Teresa & St John Southworth Churches, Cleveleys
Fr Chris Cousens—Phone: 853340
Rev Bernard Ward (Deacon) (Tel: 858346)
Enquiries for St John Southworth: Phone: 853340
10 November 2024
http://www.st-teresas-church.co.uk
Email: st.teresas.cleveleys@gmail.com
Lancaster Roman Catholic Diocesan Trustees Registered Charity Number 23433
Sunday : 32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time
Contents: Gospel : Mark 12:41-44
Notices
Reflection
Gospel : Mark 12:41-44
Jesus sat down opposite the Treasury and watched the people putting money into the treasury, and many of the rich put in a great deal. A poor widow came and put in two small coins, the equivalent of a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, this poor widow has put more in than all who have contributed to the treasury; for they have all put in money they had over, but she from the little she had has put in everything she possessed, all she had to live on.’
Reflection : In These Darker Nights Are We Switched On?
In many cities of the world you can visit the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It is there that we remember the millions of ordinary people in whatever decade who died, courageously but tragically, in war.
Without in any way reducing the importance of those places of remembrance, perhaps in our churches, and other places of worship, we could also have a suitable plaque to the Unknown Saint – somewhere to remember the millions of ordinary people whose lives have also influenced us by their sometimes day to day courageous goodness. For we have all been influenced by such people from our earliest days.
Whoever they are, they have been a light for us, and the power of that light is love. It is in the Eucharist, our celebration of love, that the light is renewed and our light brightened – as a waterfall generates electricity, as love generates new life.
Take time on this Remembrance Sunday to be inspired by others, and especially by their bravery. Take time to refresh your spirit. Take time for prayer and wonder. Take time to be surprised by God in the November sunrise, in the evening’s winter peace, and in your own light, which also burns for others.
We Remember In Our Prayers Muriel Gradwell whose Funeral was last week, and Teresa Steele, whose Funeral Service is this Monday, 11th November, 11. 30 am at St.Teresa’s. We remember them and their families, and those whose anniversaries are at this time. May they all be in God’s peace.
Baptism : We welcome into the family of the church Ada Mae Gallagher whose Baptism is at St. Teresa’s this Sunday.
The SVP are very grateful for the £160 which was generously given in their collection for those in need locally last week.
Confirmation : Please remember the ten young people who are being Confirmed by Bishop Paul on Monday 18th November, 7 pm at St Teresa’s. We ask you to support them as you normally do by attending this Mass, which is an important occasion in the life of both of our parishes.
CAFOD World Gifts At Christmas : As in previous years, CAFOD have produced a catalogue of gifts which will help us remember not just our own families and friends at this time of year but also our brothers and sisters facing the injustice of poverty around the world. These are now in the church porch for us to take and read at home. Please take one today, and see the instructions given.
Christmas Carol Concert St. Kentigern’s Singers are presenting a Christmas Carol Concert in St. Teresa’s Church on Sunday 8th December at 2.30 pm, with guest appearances of Anne and Denise Nolan. All are very welcome. Refreshments will be served after the Concert in the Parish Hall.
Preparing For Christmas With The Sunday Readings : Again this year we are being given an opportunity to prepare for Christmas spiritually not just shoppingly! This will take place at English Martyrs Church, High Cross, Poulton. 7-8 pm, on Wednesday 4 December, Wednesday 11 December, and Wednesday 18 December. Why not give yourself an hour to prepare with the Advent Sunday Readings leading up to Christmas. Each week we will look at the Readings for the following Sunday. We will read, reflect and share, in a peaceful, supportive atmosphere. Come for all or just one of the Wednesday evenings.
The Food Pantry, situated at the back of church at St. Teresa’s, is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10.30 am – 12 noon, and on Wednesdays, 2.30 pm – 4 pm. We are so grateful for all the volunteers who work in the Pantry, and all those who donate contributions
Christmas Fayre :
The Christmas Fayre Raffle tickets continue to be on sale at the back of church
We are now looking for donation items for the Fayre, as in the past, including ‘good as new’ toys, bottles, raffle prizes, bric a brac, books and, nearer to the event, cakes
Any donation can be left in the church sacristy, or with any member of the Parish Council
The Church Shop, situated in the outer porch at St.Teresa’s, and is open before and after each weekend Mass, now has a large selection of Confirmation cards and gifts on sale. Also available are Advent Calendars, diaries, Christmas cards and gifts, Please feel free to call in and look around.
Another Parish/ Community Social is being organised by Becky and Steve Connor, and their friends from the previous Teresian Players. This is on Saturday 23rd November from 7 pm in St. Teresa’s Parish Hall and this time they are doing a Hoedown.
There will be entertainment, games and hot pot. Tickets can be purchased at the back of church on Sundays, price £10. Any money raised will be given to Brian House (the Children’s Hospice). and for St. Teresa’s Church (the recent very costly roof repairs).
Daily Reflections for this week
Monday (Fr. Richard Rohr)
Christ, the “image of the unseen God” is not a problem -solving Christ, not a denominational or cultural Christ, not a Christ domesticated by the churches. This Christ names in his life and person what matters, what Iasts and finally what is. He reveals the redemptive pattern of what we call the life and death of things and holds the meaning and value of our lives outside of ourselves. Because we no longer worship such a Christ, we are condemned to worship smaller stories. We try to replace him with colourised myths, strong worldly leaders, but none of them are big enough or real enough to give universal order and meaning.
Scripture (Hebrews 10:32-36 )
Remember the great challenges of the sufferings that you had to meet after you received the light, in the earlier days; sometimes by being yourselves publicly being exposed to humiliations and violence, and sometimes as associates of others who were treated in the same way. For you not only shared in the sufferings of those who were in prison, but you accepted with joy being stripped of your belongings, knowing that you owned something that was better and more lasting. Do not lose your fearlessness now, then, since the reward is so great. You will need perseverance if you are to do God’s will and gain what he has promised.
Tuesday (Oscar Romero)
History will not fail; God sustains it. That is why I say that insofar as historical projects attempt to reflect the eternal plan of God, to that extent they reflect the kingdom of God. The great task of Christians must be to absorb the spirit of God’s kingdom and, with souls filled with the kingdom of God, to work on the projects of history. It’s fine to be part of any group, as long as you are a Christian who carries the reflection of the kingdom of God and tries to establish it where you are working. My dear Christians, I have always told you that the true liberators of our people must come from the people of God.
Scripture (Psalm 1:1-5)
How blessed is anyone who rejects the advice of the wicked and does not take a stand in the path that sinners tread, nor a seat in company with cynics, but who delights in the law of the Lord and murmurs his law day and night. Such a one is like a tree planted near streams; it bears fruit in season and its leaves never wither, and every project succeeds. How different the wicked, how wicked. Just like chaff blown in the wind the wicked will not stand firm at the Judgement, nor sinners at the gathering of the upright.
Wednesday (St. Francis de Sales)
Let us, then, consider the inconstancy and uncertainty of success both in temporal and spiritual things, so that in the event of sudden circumstances, which from being quite new and unforeseen, might give a shock to our minds, we may not lose courage, nor suffer ourselves to be carried away by unevenness of temper amid the unevenness of things that happen to us. Rather, submitting to the guidance of the reason that God has implanted in us, and to his Providence, let us remain, firm constant and unchangeable in the resolution we have made to serve God steadfastly, boldly, and fervently.
Scripture (Psalm 16:5-11)
O Lord, it is you who are my portion and my cup; it is you yourself who are my prize. I keep the Lord ever in my sight: since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm. And so my heart rejoices and is glad; even my body shall rest in safety. For you will not leave my soul among the dead, nor let your beloved know decay. You will show me the path of life, the fullness of joy in your presence, at your right hand happiness for ever.
Thursday (C.S.Lewis)
When the author walks on to the stage, the play is over. God is going to invade alright: but what is the good of saying you are on his side when you see the whole natural universe melting away like a dream and you have no choice anyway? This time it will be God without disguise; something so overwhelming that it will strike irresistible love or irresistible horror into every creature. This will not be the time for choosing: it will be the time when we discover which side we really have chosen. Now, today, is our chance to choose the right side.
Scripture (Mark13:24-27, 32)
But in those days, after the time of distress, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will come falling out of the sky and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send the angels to gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the world to the ends of the sky. But as for the day or the hour, nobody knows it, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son; no one but the Father.
Friday (Cardinal Basil Hume)
There is so much to do, so much to face that we have become too absorbed in our own activity and not sufficiently concerned about God. The hustle and bustle of life can squeeze him out of our thoughts and very far from our desires. Words like ‘hope’, ‘expectation’ and ‘looking forward’, have, wrongly in my view, been stolen by the young from the old. These are words proper to the elderly, because by the very nature of things they now look forward to the vision of God. That vision is the fulfilment of all they have ever wanted. If such fulfilment does not come at the end of a life well spent, then the toils of life have been in vain. The joys and peace which we have known from time to time in a fitful fashion will be ours totally and for all time. We were made for that and that alone.
Scripture (1 Thess:5:1-2,4-5,9-11 )
About times and dates, there is no need to write to you for you are well aware in any case that the Day of the Lord is going to come like a thief in the night. But you do not live in the dark, that the Day should take you unawares like a thief. No, you are all children of the light and children of the day: we do not belong to light or to darkness, so we should not go on sleeping, as everyone else does, but stay wide awake and sober. God destined us not for his retribution, but to win salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that, awake or asleep, we should live united with him.
Martin Bennett